Identifying the Lost Generation of Autistic Adults
Recognizing autism in adults who’ve been missed, misunderstood, or misdiagnosed.
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3.5 NBCC CE Hours
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3.5 CPD Hours
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2 Clinical Resources
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Completion Certificates
Uncovering Autism
After Years of Being Missed
About This Training
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Many Autistic adults have spent years navigating mental health care without autism ever being recognized. Masking, co-occurring conditions, and non-stereotypical presentations can make autism difficult to identify, leaving clients vulnerable to misdiagnosis and treatment that misses the bigger picture.
Gain a deeper understanding of the “lost generation” of Autistic adults and the factors behind under-diagnosis. You’ll build confidence recognizing autism in complex adult presentations, applying DSM-5-TR criteria with nuance, using screening tools in clinical practice, and understanding how accurate identification and identity integration can support better outcomes.
The training includes lecture-style instruction, clinical examples, and guided reflections designed to support the learning objectives and facilitate application in clinical and supervisory settings.
Training Overview
What You'll Learn
By the end of this training, you will be able to:
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Recognize the concept of the "lost generation" of Autistic adults and describe how masking and socio-cultural factors have contributed to under-diagnosis.
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Identify common co-occurring conditions (such as ADHD, OCD, PTSD, eating disorders) and understand how autism may be overshadowed in complex cases.
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Apply the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria with more nuance, particularly for adults with non-stereotypical presentations.
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Incorporate effective autism screening tools into clinical intake processes and feel more confident recognizing autism as part of a treatment course.
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Understand the high stakes of misdiagnosis — including increased suicide risk, substance use, and treatment-resistant depression — and the protective power of identity integration and community.
What's Included
Intended Audience
This training is ideal for:
Course Level
Contents & Materials
Speaker Bio
Dr. Megan Anna Neff
Dr. Megan Anna Neff is an AuDHD clinical psychologist, author, and educator who founded Neurodivergent Insights after discovering she is Autistic and ADHD.
Through Neurodivergent Insights, she and her neurodivergent-led team create visual-forward resources that blend research, clinical insight, and lived experience. They support individuals, clinicians, and communities — helping neurodivergent people feel seen, validated, and empowered in systems that often miss them.
Through Neurodivergent Insights, she and her neurodivergent-led team create visual-forward resources that blend research, clinical insight, and lived experience. They support individuals, clinicians, and communities — helping neurodivergent people feel seen, validated, and empowered in systems that often miss them.
Course Format
This course is exclusively online, fully self-paced, and on-demand (meaning it's immediately accessible). You will maintain ongoing online access through your account.
Technology Needed
You will need reliable internet connection and a device capable of streaming video and accessing the digital downloads included in this course.
Prerequisites
There are no formal prerequisites. This is intermediate-level content intended for mental health professionals (or any interested adult).
Accessibility
This course is designed to be accessible and ND-affirming. Videos include captions and transcripts, learning is self‑paced, there are no time limits, and resources are digital.
Please contact us for additional accommodations:
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